Renting a car can be complicated. From fees to fuel purchase options, the process is enough to confuse even the most experienced traveler. But let’s keep it simple. Here’s your ultimate guide on how to rent a car. (last updated Jan 2021) Read more “How to rent a car: the ultimate guide”
Ultimate Consumer Guides
This series of comprehensive guides from Elliott Advocacy cover a variety of consumer topics and focus heavily on travel.
This series of comprehensive guides from Elliott Advocacy cover a variety of consumer topics and focus heavily on travel.
The ultimate guide to travel loyalty programs
Loyalty programs offer a powerful incentive to travel, and to travel more. Since the first frequent flier programs appeared in the early 1980s, frequent flier and frequent stayer incentives have mushroomed to proportions no one could have predicted. Today, it’s possible to collect miles without darkening the door of an aircraft, or points without checking into a hotel. You can earn them from buying groceries or subscribing to Netflix.
But should you? Read more “The ultimate guide to travel loyalty programs”
The ultimate guide to losing and finding your luggage
It weighs you down, it costs extra, and airlines love to lose it. Luggage is something most travelers wish they didn’t have to worry about — which is exactly why you should think about it before your next trip.
Selecting the right luggage might be the easy part. Knowing your rights when your bags are lost or misplaced isn’t. (And if you travel enough, your luggage will eventually get lost.) Read more “The ultimate guide to losing and finding your luggage”
The best way to buy airline tickets
From phoning a travel agent to clicking an airline site, there are many ways to book air travel. Maybe too many. So what’s the best way to buy airline tickets?
It depends. Here’s a guide to help you sort it out. (last updated Jan 5, 2021) Read more “The best way to buy airline tickets”
The complete guide to buying and selling a timeshare
Why pay for a hotel when you can own your own vacation home or condo? That’s the promise of a timeshare. The pitch comes when you least expect it: when you’re on vacation and your guard is down.
But you can survive a timeshare presentation. And if you don’t — if you already own a timeshare — well, there’s a way out, even if you’re legally under contract. Read more “The complete guide to buying and selling a timeshare”
The ultimate guide to joining and leaving a travel club
If someone invites you to join a travel club, don’t walk away — run!
But if you’re reading this, you probably didn’t. You fell for the offer of a free cruise or vacation. You attended the presentation, with its laughable, high-pressure sales tactics. And you ended up with a worthless travel club membership. Now you’re trying to figure out a way to leave your travel club. Read more “The ultimate guide to joining and leaving a travel club”
Travel and money: Here’s everything you ever wanted to know (and more)
Money may be the last thing you think about when you’re planning a trip. But the moment you arrive at your destination, you’ll make up for the oversight. Money exchange booths and the ATMs offering local currency greet you at the terminal. And you’ll have to decide what to do about travel and money. Read more “Travel and money: Here’s everything you ever wanted to know (and more)”